The days getting shorter, nights drawing in, unpredictable weather conditions and dropping
temperatures are all signs that winter is on its way. The harsh conditions of winter can have a
number of both physical and psychological effects on our health and well-being.
Some health problems, such as asthma, sore throat, painful joints and cold sores can be triggered
or worsened by cold weather. Viral infections also tend to be more common during the winter i.e.
colds or flu and the extremely infectious stomach bug ‘Norovirus’ known as the winter vomiting
bug.
Think of who else may be affected by sudden changes in weather conditions e.g. extra care should
be taken of the elderly and the inform who can be more susceptible to the effects of winter
illnesses, especially those suffering from heart conditions. Cold snaps can increase blood pressure
putting more strain on the heart, which has to work harder to maintain body heat when it’s cold,
leading to an increased risk of heart attack.
Although many of us may say that we have suffered from the winter blues and not thought much
more about it, there is sound scientific evidence to support the idea that the change in season can
alter our mood and in a handful of cases this leads to a condition known medically as Seasonal
Affected Disorder (SAD) or ‘Winter Tiredness.
What is Winter Tiredness or SAD?
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As the days become shorter, your sleep and waking cycles can become disrupted, leading to
fatigue. Less sunlight means that your brain produces more of a hormone called melatonin, which
makes you sleepy. Because the release of this sleep hormone is linked to light and dark, when the
sun sets earlier your body also wants to go to bed earlier – hence you may feel sleepy in the early
evening. While it’s normal for all of us to slow down generally over winter and maybe even suffer
something of the winter blues from time to time, sometimes this lethargy can be a sign of more
serious winter depression.